Researchers have identified type 5 collagen as a key factor in kidney fibrosis, revealing its potential as a biomarker to predict chronic kidney disease progression. A repurposed anti-cancer drug, Cilengitide, was found to reduce kidney scarring and slow disease progression in preclinical models, suggesting a possible precision medicine approach for high-risk patients. The team now seeks to develop a blood test to measure type 5 collagen levels, which could help identify patients at greater risk for kidney failure and guide targeted treatment strategies.